Following a school board election that resulted in low voter turnout across the region, the Pope County Election Commission is looking to increase voter participation before next month’s registration deadline.

And they’re doing so by getting Russellville’s youth involved.

The Election Commission visited the Russellville High School Monday morning during its advisory period to promote voter participation, where they helped 18 students become registered voters.

Election Chairperson Carol Shoptaw described the registration of 18-year-olds as a “window of opportunity” and that hopefully it will encourage them to vote later on, not just in November’s general election.

“Hopefully that will encourage them in the future to vote,” she said. “And that’s what we’re trying to do is encourage more participation in the voting process ... It’s always important, whether it be in the general election or the school board, because you have a say in who’s going to be running your government. It’s just important to get out and have a say in who’s running your government.”

Election Coordinator Sherry Polsgrove said the students seemed excited to register Monday.

“They saw it as an opportunity to have a part in the government,” she said. Polsgrove attributed the excitement among the new voters to strides the school has made in engaging its students in similar processes.

“They have a lot of opportunities to get in and be involved,” she said. “I’m hoping that’s rubbing off and showing them they can be involved in their community and not just in school.”

Commissioners will return to the Russellville High School today between 9:30-10:15.

The deadline to register to vote and participate in the Nov. 6 election is Oct. 8.

Early voting will be held between Oct. 22-Nov. 5 at the Pope County Election Headquarters. They will be open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays during early voting and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. The headquarters will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Nov. 5.